From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Being Marist

At the recent induction of senior and primary leaders, I retold an event undertaken by a group of senior boys that demonstrated true leadership and being Marist. I share this story with you, with great pride in our boys. Late one evening, a group of senior boys were offered a trip to KFC for a late-night supper, by their generous boarding supervisor. Naturally, the boys happily obliged and enjoyed their outing. The boarding supervisor noticed that at the end of the meal the boys were all huddled together and one boy was seemingly collecting money from the other boys. The boarding supervisor didn’t think much of this but rather hurried the boys back on the bus to travel back to the College. On arrival, the boys sincerely thanked the boarding supervisor and one boy carried a large bucket of KFC chicken. The boarding supervisor noticed that the boys went to the COVID-19 isolation wing of the junior students. They left the bucket of chicken outside the door and knocked in an effort to get someone to find it and collect it. The junior boys in isolation were thrilled! No one asked the senior boys to do this - no one expected this act of kindness. The senior boys just thought of the isolating junior boarding students and wanted to give them a lift. A lift it did! Responding to the needs of others is central to what it means to be Marist and is an innate part of our Marist charism and education.

You would have noticed that the media was asking lots of questions of the College regarding the number of COVID-19 cases presently at the school. In all, approximately 10% of staff, 14% of day students and 6% of boarders. This is a difficult situation to manage, but I am sure that you would agree with all the goodwill demonstrated by the boys, staff and you - the parent body, we are managing well. I thank all parents who continue to respond as per the Queensland Health regulations. As a College we have decided to continue restricting large gatherings of boys (at the College) in response – e.g. the College assembly, Year 8 dance etc. Please stay abreast of upcoming events at the conclusion of the Head of College section of the newsletter each week, to provide any changes to events.

Thank you, all members of the Marist College family, for continuing to consider our fellow neighbours as we are faced with this present outbreak. We trust that we will find ways to complete all assessments and exams for Term 1 and enjoy a well-deserved holiday over Easter.

May our loving God, with Mary our Good mother and St Marcellin Champagnat, walk with all members of the Marist College family. Amen.

UQ Science and Engineering Challenge

Twenty-four Year 10 and three Year 9 boys, led by Ms Kidd and Ms Spann had the opportunity to attend the UQ Science and Engineering Challenge on Thursday 17 March 2022. The Challenge involve a full day at the University of Queensland where the boys worked in small groups to put their problem-solving minds to the test. The teams participated in challenges such as providing electricity to a city, designing an earthquake-proof building, bridge building, making a bionic hand and building a turbine. The day had us up against some tough competition such as St Peters Lutheran, St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace, St Joseph’s Nudgee College, QASMT, Wavell State High School, Staines Memorial College and All Hallows. We improved on our score from last year, giving us not only a personal best score, but also taking out the competition with a score of 1310.29.

The following boys participated in the event and should be congratulated on their outstanding achievement in representing Marist College Ashgrove: Alex Apelt, Oliver Betts, Adam Burnell, Kian Dickman, Harry Doyle, Harrison Dyer, Dominic Forbes, Lucas Hancock, Hugh Irwin, Patrick Jewell, Jonathon Kennedy, Harry Lee, Joshua Lewis, Jack Lowe, Lachy Manning, Louis Morris, Max Norton, Rory O’Keefe, Zack Ortiz, Aidan Phillips, Matthew Rowston, Francis Schutt, Mitchell Trotter, Hugo Tully, Remy Versace, Gus Watson and Edward Wild.

Well done boys on this great achievement!

Game Changers, Game Changers Projects and the Game Changers Pathway

Game Changers is available to all Marist secondary schools as a school-based youth ministry program. Game Changers is a comprehensive Catholic youth ministry program for students in Years 7-12. Game Changers is offered at a small cost on an annual subscription basis. Included in the Game Changers program are Regional Retreat Days. These retreats gather all Game Changer groups across Brisbane for deeper reflection and engagement of Marist spirituality. The Regional Retreats are scheduled for Tuesday 26 April (Years 11 and 12), Friday 29 April (Years 9 and 10) and Thursday 5 May (Years 7 and 8), all held at Marist Ashgrove. For more information, please contact - Mr Adam Burns, Regional Youth Minister: Adam.Burns@marists.org.au.

Marist College Council

Once a term the Marist College Advisory Council meets to oversee the functioning of the College. The Council’s mandate is far reaching, with its overarching role to provide advice to the Head of College. I sincerely thank the expert professionalism of this Council who sincerely supports the work of Marist to ultimately enable the College to achieve the best possible outcomes for all students in its care. The College Advisory Council members are as follows:

Peter Selwood (Chair): Peter brings to Marist College an enormous wealth of experience and expertise developed over many years at Centacare Brisbane, the social services arm of the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Brisbane where he has been the Executive Director since 2001. Peter Selwood is an Old Boy (1978) of Marist College Ashgrove. Peter’s two sons attended Marist College (Patrick 2008 and Joseph 2010). Peter has been Chair of the College Finance Advisory Committee and President of the Old Boys’ Association.

Lisa Dalton (Deputy Chair): Lisa is an accomplished lawyer, governance professional, senior executive and leader with over 25 years’ experience in the mining, energy, construction, manufacturing, medical, agricultural and infrastructure sectors. Lisa is currently Chair of Second Skin Pty Ltd, a non-executive director of Healthia Limited and Company Secretary of both PWR Holdings Limited and Jameson Resources Limited. Lisa is also an independent member of the Audit and Risk Committees of the Queensland Departments of Justice and Attorney General and Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water. Lisa Dalton has a long affiliation with Marist College Ashgrove, having both married an Old Boy, Brian Griffin and Oliver, her son, graduated from Marist in 2017.

Kate Knynenburg: Kate, a pharmacist in the local area, has had a long and generous association with the College including as a past President of the Parents and Friends Association. Kate Knynenburg has had two sons attend Marist College Ashgrove (Joseph 2010 and Sam 2016) who were both Vice-Captains.

Kerry O’Brien AM: Kerry O’Brien AM is a recently retired Chief Judge of the District Court of Queensland. Kerry O’Brien is an Old Boy (1967) of Marist College Ashgrove and an eminent Queensland jurist. Kerry has had two sons attend the College (Matthew 2006 and Michael 2007). Kerry has made a generous commitment to the College in a number of important committee roles over many years.

Tony Hogarth: Tony Hogarth is a lawyer by profession and is an Old Boy (1976) of Marist College, having boarded at Ashgrove for six years. He has served on a number of College committees over the years, including as Chair of the College Foundation and President of the Old Boys’ Association. His son also attended the College (Tom 2009), being appointed a Vice-Captain in his senior year.

We thank our professional and generous committee members and our Regional Director of Marist Schools Australia, Mr Mark Elliot, for their expertise and sincere interest in the boys and the College

Primary Swimming Carnival

This Friday 25 March, boys in Years 5 and 6 will enjoy the annual Primary Swimming Carnival, held at our wonderful College pool and precinct. This carnival is an opportunity for the boys to show their swimming talent and importantly to mix, demonstrate comradery, develop new friendships and to socialise with their peers. I thank all the Primary teachers and to their sports co-ordinator, Mr John Lambourne who is organising and facilitating the day for the boys. Enjoy, gentlemen.

Year 5 Musical

All the Year 5 boys musical and dramatic talents will be on show this Thursday 24 March for the annual Year 5 Musical. Two shows will be performed at 5:00pm and 6:00pm. The Year 5 Musical performance is titled, “Dig It! – The Musical”. We will be joined by inquisitive archaeologists, Taki, Tut, Talis and Tryn, and their fossil friend, Bruce, as they explore the wonders of ancient civilizations. From the farm labourers of early Mesopotamia, to a chorus of ancient Greeks, we are sure to love discovering the archaeological mysteries of the past.

I wish all the boys the best of luck and much fun as they perform on stage at the College’s impressive Draney Theatre. My thanks are extended to Dr Andrew Butt (Head of Music), Mr Liam Beatty (Head of Primary), Ms Melanie Stewart, Ms Megan Harmston, Mrs Catherine Wasserman, Ms Janelle Lee Long, Mr Darian Johns, Ms Carmen Hooper, and Music Administration Staff for arranging this opportunity for the boys.

Booking Links:

5:00pm Session: https://events.humanitix.com/year-5-musical-2022-dig-it

6:00pm Session: https://events.humanitix.com/copy-of-year-5-musical-2022-dig-it-6pm-session

2022 Next Step survey

The Queensland Government is conducting its annual state-wide survey of all students who completed Year 12 in 2021. The Next Step survey is a brief, confidential survey that gains a comprehensive picture of the employment, study and life choices made by Queensland school completers in the year after they finish Year 12.

Between March and June, all our students who completed Year 12 last year can expect to receive instructions to complete a web-based survey or a telephone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office. Please encourage them to take part. If their contact details have changed, please assist the interviewer with their updated details or forward the survey to their new address so they can participate.

Thank you for your support of the Next Step survey in 2022 – this provides much information for Marist College Ashgrove to assist future students.

Further information on Next Step, including results from previous years, is available online at -www.qld.gov.au/nextstep or on toll free telephone - 1800 068 587.

Year 8 Parent Gathering

The Year 8 parent gathering organised by our generous Parents and Friends Committee, will continue to go ahead in the Tower Function Room. We trust that as adults, you will attend with COVID-19 regulations met and adhere to right and safe practices. This event will be held on Friday 25 March. The cost of the evening is $35.00, please book your tickets by following this link: https://events.humanitix.com/year-8-parent-function

We hope it is an enjoyable time and one where you get to meet other Year 8 parents and share commonalities. Enjoy.

May our loving God with Mary our good mother and St Marcellin Champagnat walk with all members of the Marist College Ashgrove Family.